Edward Duff

Biography Edward Duff was born in London, England and grew up in Michigan where he studied at the College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University. Duff focuses primarily on the subject of landscape, and has exhibited his work throughout Michigan gaining numerous awards for his paintings. He worked as a Studio Assistant for the Detroit Institute of Arts and as the Art School Director for Paint Creek Center for the Arts from 2011 - 2014. He currently teaches drawing and painting classes and workshops at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. Artist Statement My landscape paintings are a record of moments encountered. These scenes are not only visual experiences, but they conjure emotions and memories far beyond communicating through words. I work in both a studio environment and plein air, painting predominantly in oil on paper, canvas, and wood panels. My methods vary from the direct approach of alla prima painting, to the traditional indirect style of subtle layers of thinly glazed color. My goal with each new painting is to create work that will give the viewer a moment to pause and reflect. I am drawn to imagery that is not only beautiful and scenic, but at times slightly unsettling, haunting and awe inspiring. Storms, fast moving clouds, large expanses of water and the fleeting effects of light are common themes throughout my paintings. Additionally, my work is directly influenced by travel, as I document my surrounding environment through paintings, sketches and photographs. While my work would be categorized as representational, my focus is not on creating a realistic picture, it is in evoking emotion and depicting a sense of atmosphere. A moment of quiet reflection and perhaps self discovery in this chaotic world we live in. An exploration of the quiet beauty in both the mundane and extraordinary. It is through the act of art-making that I strive to call attention to what is already there, but seldom noticed and often overlooked.

My landscape paintings are a record of moments encountered. These scenes are not only visual experiences, but they conjure emotions and memories far beyond communicating through words. I work in both a studio environment and plein air, painting predominantly in oil on paper, canvas, and wood panels. My methods vary from the direct approach of alla prima painting, to the traditional indirect style of subtle layers of thinly glazed color.